Black Males in Private Schools in DC or MD.

[Anonymous]

In your opinion, hopefully from first hand experience, are there certain private schools where a black male is more likely to have a positive experience? Someone briefly touched on this in the Sidwell thread, and I was looking for a bit more information. In the Sidwell thread, someone said that there was a negative attitude toward black males specifically at Sidwell (from parents and teachers). Please do not turn this into an affirmative action debate, I am just looking for information as we begin to look as possible schools for my son.

[Anonymous]

First, start with what type of child your son is. Does he love sports? Then maybe you should check out Landon or Bullis. More academic? Maybe look at St. Anselm's. Does he thrive in a freer, less structured environment? Then you might want to visit GDS or Edmund Burke. Look at the number of black kids in the classrooms when you visit. Do they seem engaged and happy? Talk to parents (there's absolutely no better way to get the real deal). Talk to recent grads. I'd recommend visiting as many schools as possible, even though you may not think they're for you. You might be surprised. Schools also change over the years. I have friends who went to St. Albans many years ago and it was a very different school than it is now (it's changed for the better, in my opinion). Don't just go by rumor and gossip. Check out the school for yourself, process the information you receive, and try and find the right fit for your son. But talking to current parents is really the most helpful thing. In my experience, EVERY school will tout its diversity; but you really have to do your due diligence to see how committed they are not just to numbers, but to ensuring that every child is valued and respected.

[Anonymous]

Call the school and ask to speak with other African American families (ask for their numbers). Call them and see what they have to say. That's what I did.

[Anonymous]

PP this is all very informative but in effect this is what the OP is trying to do by posting here. To hopefully get first had experience in a an anonymous environment. I wrote in the other post about Sidwell and in reality it is very hard to get the information you are suggesting especially for someone like me who is not from the USA and does not know anyone to ask. In addition, in my experience, people in the DC area are very close and very rarely open up about their personal lives and, if I may say so, do not like to give the impression that all is not going well with them. I think this is why OP is writing here. People may be more willing to provide personal and sometimes information on situations that may have been embarrassing and hurtful to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call the school and ask to speak with other African American families (ask for their numbers). Call them and see what they have to say. That's what I did.

If you have information about schools that you acquired during your search, would you mind sharing? It would be very much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I have attended open houses and I have also talked with some minority families provided by the school, but I was hoping as another poster suggested, to get some more candid responses from folks on this site! People can only be soo candid in as much as their kids still have to get recs from the school and DC is a very small town...

[Anonymous]

I am the 19:04 poster. The big negative that I have heard first hand about black males is at Sidwell. The staff seems to expect trouble and the (black) students can fine themselves playing into the role that they are given. The family that I spoke with left the school. The pressure seems to be less with the female students.
St. Alban's seems to be fine from what I've heard.

[Anonymous]

What about the lower schools in the DC area?????

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by "lower schools"? Grades K-6?

[Anonymous]

I would assume the PP means "K-6" as lower schools.

[Anonymous]

For younger children of color, I think Beauvoir and GDS would be good. I would stay away from NPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For younger children of color, I think Beauvoir and GDS would be good. I would stay away from NPS.

Can any AA parents at NPS comment on your experience? Actually can any NPS parents comment on diversity, inclusiveness and social culture at the school? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I am AA and have an AA son. I posted a similar post awhile back and will try to find the thread for you. It is an interesting conversation - especially in an anonymous forum. The "best" schools often talked about on this thread are not the same schools that parents indicated were warm and welcoming to their AA sons. Keep researching and good luck!!

[Anonymous]

I'm a mother of African American sons in private school, and know many famliies with boys in various schools. The advice the 16:42 poster gave is very good. Especially if your son is older, figure out what type of educational environment will suit him best. Talk to parents with children at different schools and go visit. There are definitely schools which could do better in the number of African American students (Landon, Sheridan), but they seem intent on doing better. We have friends with kids at GDS, Sidwell, Landon, Edmund Burke, St. Albans, St. Anselm's, Sheridan, and Maret. All the boys seem to be happy and doing well. But a lot of them went to those schools when they were older and their interests and learning styles were more developed. If you have a free spirit type, definitely look at Burke and GDS. For a more traditional scholar/athlete type, check out St. Albans and Landon. A more bookish child may do well at St. Anselm's. Maret's small size may be just the right environment for your child. There are lots of options out there. As parents of African American boys, I think we do have to be extra vigilant on certain issues -- disparate discipline, lower expectations, etc. But most of us will be vigilant on these issues no matter where our sons go to school. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone heard about Norwood?